Extract from IMF Report - Liberia: Poverty Reduction Strategy
Paper (February 2012)
Anti-Corruption and Transparency
Reducing corruption and increasing transparency were important goals
of this pillar. Liberia completed one of the deliverables for this theme—
“Finalize the structure and mandate of, and establish by legislation, the
Anti-Corruption Commission adequately resourced with capacities to
monitor and ensure greater transparency and accountability
in the prudent use of national assets and resources and address
corruption effectively. But the other deliverable is yet to be completed,
however: “Develop and enact a Freedom of Information Act and Whistle
Blower Statute, Broadcasting regulations and National Public
Broadcasting Service Act.” International evidence indicates that
transparency and access to information are more effective against
corruption than anti-corruption laws and commissions, since the latter
require good judiciaries and strong will at the top to succeed
(Fjeldstad 2008; World Bank IEG 2008). Nonetheless, each nation’s
program should be judged on its outcome.
Thus far, according to international surveys, Liberia has made some
progress against corruption, although much remains to be done. In
2007, the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index was
2.1 (on a 1-10 scale, with a 90 percent confidence interval of 1.8-2.4),
and by 2010 Liberia’s score had improved to 3.3 (2.6-4.3 confidence
interval). This was the same score as for India and Jamaica and ahead
of The Gambia, Mexico, Zambia, and many others. The CPIA rating for
Transparency, accountability & corruption in the public sector remained
at 3.0 for 2008 to 2010. Perceptions in the country are less favorable.
The SHG Survey asked “Has the government really addressed the issue
of corruption?” 33 percent said Yes, and 55 percent said No.
_________________________________________________________
AML News / Updates
March 7, 2011 - Liberia expands its network for international exchange
of tax information
Read More....
Links:
Worldwide AML Legislation (International Bar Association)
Paper (February 2012)
Anti-Corruption and Transparency
Reducing corruption and increasing transparency were important goals
of this pillar. Liberia completed one of the deliverables for this theme—
“Finalize the structure and mandate of, and establish by legislation, the
Anti-Corruption Commission adequately resourced with capacities to
monitor and ensure greater transparency and accountability
in the prudent use of national assets and resources and address
corruption effectively. But the other deliverable is yet to be completed,
however: “Develop and enact a Freedom of Information Act and Whistle
Blower Statute, Broadcasting regulations and National Public
Broadcasting Service Act.” International evidence indicates that
transparency and access to information are more effective against
corruption than anti-corruption laws and commissions, since the latter
require good judiciaries and strong will at the top to succeed
(Fjeldstad 2008; World Bank IEG 2008). Nonetheless, each nation’s
program should be judged on its outcome.
Thus far, according to international surveys, Liberia has made some
progress against corruption, although much remains to be done. In
2007, the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index was
2.1 (on a 1-10 scale, with a 90 percent confidence interval of 1.8-2.4),
and by 2010 Liberia’s score had improved to 3.3 (2.6-4.3 confidence
interval). This was the same score as for India and Jamaica and ahead
of The Gambia, Mexico, Zambia, and many others. The CPIA rating for
Transparency, accountability & corruption in the public sector remained
at 3.0 for 2008 to 2010. Perceptions in the country are less favorable.
The SHG Survey asked “Has the government really addressed the issue
of corruption?” 33 percent said Yes, and 55 percent said No.
_________________________________________________________
AML News / Updates
March 7, 2011 - Liberia expands its network for international exchange
of tax information
Read More....
Links:
Worldwide AML Legislation (International Bar Association)
|
|
Sanctions:
February 14, 2012 - EU impose Regulation (EU) No 116/2012 of
9 February 2012 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 872/2004
concerning further restrictive measures in relation to Liberia
Read Regulation
The UN has an arms embargo in force together with a travel ban
and asset freeze on certain individuals. For more information,
please visit the following link: -
http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1521/index.shtml
The EU have similar restrictive measures in force. For further
information, please visit the following link: -
http://ec.europa.
eu/external_relations/cfsp/sanctions/docs/measures_en.pdf
The US also have sanctions in place, specifically against the
former regime of Charles Taylor. For further information, please
visit the following link: -
http://www.treasury.gov/resource-
center/sanctions/Programs/pages/liberia.aspx
____________________________________________________
Offshore Jurisdiction Blacklists:
As a recognised offshore finance jurisdiction this country may fall
under various country offshore jurisdiction blacklists.
____________________________________________________
US State Department Money Laundering Report - 2011:
Liberia is not a regional financial center. Financial controls are
weak, and both Liberian and U.S. dollars are legal tender in
Liberia, making it easier to launder U.S. currency. There is a
significant market for smuggled goods and borders are porous.
Document fraud, lax immigration controls, and widespread
corruption are significant issues. There is little information on
whether money laundering is linked to the sale of narcotics, but
few hard drugs are interdicted in Liberia. Civil war and
government mismanagement destroyed much of Liberia's
economy, especially the infrastructure in and around the capital,
Monrovia. Many businesses fled the country, taking capital and
expertise with them, but with the conclusion of fighting and the
installation of a democratically-elected government the situation is
improving. There are no confirmed cases of money laundering or
terrorist financing in the Liberian banking sector, which is
dominated by Nigerian banks (four of eight banking licenses are
operated by Nigerian banks or families). Money laundering
enforcement suffers from limited resources, inadequately trained
personnel, and a weak judicial system – products of 14 years of
civil war.
On December 22, 2003, the UN Security Council adopted
Resolution 1521 imposing sanctions against Liberia and
designated individuals. The sanctions covered an arms embargo,
travel bans and export/import restrictions. Additionally, on March
12, 2004, UNSCR 1532 was adopted, imposing financial sanctions
against then-president Charles Taylor and his wife and son.
Furthermore, UNSCR 1638 of 2005 gave the UN mission in
Liberia the task of apprehending then-president Taylor to
facilitate his transport to the Sierra Leone Special Court for
prosecution. UNSCRs 1647 (2005), 1836 (2008) and 1854 (2008)
reinforced and extended the Resolutions. Subsequently, the
export/import restrictions were lifted, and under UNSCR 1903 of
December 17, 2009, the arms embargo and travel ban were
allowed to expire on December 17, 2010; however, the asset
freezing provisions remain in place.
DO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ENGAGE IN CURRENCY
TRANSACTIONS RELATED TO INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS
TRAFFICKING THAT INCLUDE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF US
CURRENCY; CURRENCY DERIVED FROM ILLEGAL SALES IN
THE U.S.; OR THAT OTHERWISE SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT THE
U.S.: NO
CRIMINALIZATION OF MONEY LAUNDERING:
“All serious crimes” approach or “list” approach to predicate
crimes: Not available
Legal persons covered: criminally: YES civilly: YES
CRIMINALIZATION OF TERRORIST FINANCING:
Ability to freeze terrorist assets without delay: NO
UN lists of designated terrorists or terrorist entities distributed to
financial institutions: NO
(Please refer to the Department of State’s Country Reports on
Terrorism, which can be found here: http://www.state.
gov/s/ct/rls/crt/)
KNOW-YOUR-CUSTOMER RULES:
Covered entities: Central Bank of Liberia, financial institutions
Enhanced due diligence procedures for PEPs: Foreign: NO
Domestic: NO
SUSPICIOUS TRANSACTION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:
Covered entities: Financial institutions
Number of STRs received and time frame: 0 in 2010
Number of CTRs received and time frame: 0 in 2010
MONEY LAUNDERING CRIMINAL
PROSECUTIONS/CONVICTIONS:
Prosecutions: 0
Convictions: 0
Assets forfeited: criminally: 0 civilly: 0
RECORDS EXCHANGE MECHANISM:
With U.S.: YES
With other governments/jurisdictions: YES
Liberia is a member of the West African Intergovernmental Action
Group Against Money Laundering (GIABA), a Financial Action
Task Force (FATF)-style regional body. Liberia was scheduled for
a mutual evaluation in late 2010. Once adopted, the resulting
report can be found here: http://www.giaba.org/index.php?
type=c&id=46&mod=2&men=2
ENFORCEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES AND
COMMENTS:
Draft anti-money laundering legislation calls for the creation of a
financial intelligence unit (FIU), which would be housed in the
Central Bank of Liberia (CBL). Banks are currently supposed to
report suspicious transaction reports to the CBL but few comply
with reporting guidelines. The CBL has begun outlining how the
new FIU would operate. The CBL has begun drafting a new anti-
money laundering/counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) law
based on international standards.
The Liberia National Police (LNP) investigates financial crimes
through the Criminal Investigation Division’s Technical
Investigation Unit and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
investigates crimes through the Economic Crimes and
Transnational Crimes Divisions. The Ministry of National Security
and the National Security Agency (NSA) are marginally
responsible for investigating financial crimes. Intelligence related
to money laundering and other financial crimes is handled by
various government security organizations in an uncoordinated
fashion.
There have been no arrests, prosecutions or convictions for
money laundering or terrorist financing. The AML law provides for
seizure of laundered assets including property, land, securities,
and cash. The police and other security officials have the power
to seize drug-related assets, but need permission from the courts.
Generally, implementation of laws is hampered by political
interference, corruption and weak capacity within the judiciary,
and a lack of adequate resources. The Liberian government has
not frozen the assets of any of the Liberians (including four
Liberian legislators) on the UN asset-freeze list.
In 2010, the Government of Liberia deported seven people to the
U.S. after arresting them for allegedly trying to smuggle 4,000
kilograms of cocaine (worth an estimated $100 million) through
Liberia.
____________________________________________________
US State Dept Narcotics Report 2012 (introduction):
Liberia is a transit country for cocaine and heroin destined for
Europe. There is already some evidence of narcotics for local
consumption entering Liberia via commercial aircraft and maritime
vessels. Several Liberian law enforcement agencies work in
concert to fight narcotics trafficking in Liberia, including the
Liberian National Police (LNP), the Coast Guard (CG), the
National Security Agency (NSA), and the Drug Enforcement
Agency (Liberian DEA).
Abuse of marijuana occurs in Liberia and is a larger problem than
previously thought. Extreme poverty, high unemployment,
endemic conflict, and a large population who were exposed to
drug use during the civil war are key factors exacerbating the
drug demand situation. Cannabis is locally cultivated in Liberia on
farms in northern Nimba and Bong Counties and is mostly
destined for local consumption. Current abuse involves cooking
the substance in food products, although smoking also occurs.
Drugs such as cocaine and heroin are increasingly present in
Liberia, but far less so than marijuana. Price is still a deterrent for
greater use of cocaine and heroin.
Drug abuse is strongly linked to Liberia’s history of civil conflict
from 1989-2003, which left behind more than 100,000 ex-
combatants. Many of the combatants abused drugs during the
war and remain the majority of Liberia’s current drug users.
Another factor behind potential substance abuse is the high
percentage of Liberians, civilian and ex-military, suffering from
Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome from the country’s civil war.
Liberia’s unemployment rate also plays a role in its drug abuse
problem, with 85 percent underemployed in the informal sector
and only 15 percent of Liberians employed in the formal sector.
Drug rehabilitation and treatment facilities are non-existent, with
addicts being referred to the only psychiatric hospital in Liberia.
“Liberians United Against Drug Abuse”, an NGO founded in 1993,
provides limited drug awareness education through workshops
and radio announcements. Christian Children’s Fund lists forty
active NGO youth organizations, with more than one fourth
dealing with HIV/AIDS prevention/treatment and general health
awareness training/advice. Only three of these NGOs target drug
abuse issues.
The UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and donor governments
including the United States are working with the Government of
Liberia to understand and respond better to the local drug threat.
The United States requested that the United Nations Office on
Drugs and Crime (UNODC) conduct an assessment of drug use,
treatment, prevention, and needs in Liberia. That assessment has
provided valuable information in U.S. efforts to plan demand
reduction work. In addition, UNMIL is soliciting UNODC to perform
a separate assessment of the Liberian DEA.
As part of the West Africa Coast Initiative (WACI), UNODC is
establishing a new Transnational Crime Unit (TCU), located in the
Ministry of Justice, to help coordinate counternarcotics efforts in
Liberia. The Ministry of Justice, with support from UNODC legal
experts, is undertaking a review of current legislation related to
drugs and organized crime in Liberia to create a stronger
foundation for more effective law enforcement activities.
The USG launched the West Africa Cooperative Security Initiative
(WACSI) in 2011, which is a five-year whole of government
approach to increase global security by addressing transnational
organized crime, particularly drug trafficking, in West Africa.
Liberia has been identified as a future WACSI partner where USG
assistance will focus on establishing functional and accountable
institutions and building basic operational capacity.
Liberia is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention. Liberia is also
a party to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized
Crime and its three protocols and has ratified the UN Convention
against Corruption. The United States has had an extradition
treaty in effect with Liberia since 1939.
As a matter of government policy, the government of Liberia
neither encourages nor facilitates the production or distribution of
illicit drugs, nor the laundering of proceeds from illegal drug
transactions. To our knowledge no senior government officials are
engaged in such activity.
The Government of Liberia is concerned about the possible use
of its country by transnational criminal organizations and is
seeking training and assistance in the investigation and
prosecution of counternarcotics and financial crimes. As the
capacity of neighboring countries increases through assistance
programs such as WACI and WACSI, regional organizations and
Government of Liberia will have to pay special attention so that
sophisticated crime networks do not seek Liberia as an easy
target. The Government of Liberia is not currently ready to
respond to the threat of transnational crime; however, U.S. DEA
has cooperated with the Liberian NSA, and anticipates future
cooperation with them should appropriate cases arise.
For Full report, click here
____________________________________________________
US State Dept Trafficking in Persons Report 2011
(introduction):
(Tier 2 Watch List)
Liberia is a source, transit, and destination country, principally for
young women and children subjected to forced labor and sex
trafficking. Most trafficking victims originate from within the country’
s borders and are subjected to domestic servitude, forced
begging to support religious instructors, forced labor in street
vending, on rubber plantations, and alluvial diamond sites, or sex
trafficking. Traffickers operate independently and are commonly
family members who may promise poorer relatives a better life for
their children. Children sent to work as domestic servants for
wealthier relatives are vulnerable to forced labor or to a lesser
extent, commercial sexual exploitation. Victims of cross-border
trafficking come to Liberia from Sierra Leone, Guinea, Cote d’
Ivoire, and Nigeria and are subjected to the same types of
exploitation as internally trafficked victims. A small number of men,
women, and children from Liberia are trafficked to Cote d’Ivoire,
Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria.
The Government of Liberia does not fully comply with the
minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is
making significant efforts to do so. Despite these modest efforts,
however, the government has not shown evidence of increasing
efforts to prosecute and punish trafficking offenders and protect
trafficking victims; therefore, Liberia is placed on Tier 2 Watch
List. The Liberian government has never convicted a trafficking
offender using its 2005 anti-trafficking law; it reported conducting
two investigations of trafficking cases during the year, but did not
initiate any prosecutions or convict any traffickers. The
government did not provide training to law enforcement officials or
magistrates, and many members of the government conflate
kidnapping and smuggling offenses with human trafficking crimes.
The Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce held a workshop in
November 2010 to establish a formal system for referring victims
to legal services and protective care, and the draft is being
circulated among the relevant government ministries for final
adoption. The government did not allocate funds to the taskforce,
which suspended its regular meetings between May 2010 and
January 2011. The government undertook limited prevention
measures.
For full report click here
____________________________________________________
US State Dept Terrorism Report 2009
Despite limited resources, inadequately trained personnel, and a
weak judicial system – products of 14 years of civil war – the
Government of Liberia demonstrated a willingness to cooperate
with the United States and the international community to combat
terrorism. Through rule of law and security sector reform
assistance programs, the United States supported a number of
initiatives that addressed Liberia's vulnerabilities, which included
porous borders, rampant identification document fraud, lax
immigration controls, wide-scale corruption, and underpaid law
enforcement, security, and customs personnel.
The Government of Liberia took steps to improve security at the
Freeport of Monrovia, and the U.S. Coast Guard certified the port
compliant under the International Port Security Program. The
Transportation Security Administration worked with the Liberia
Civil Aviation Authority to improve security at Roberts International
Airport in order to make it compliant under the International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO). However, at year's end, RIA
remained ICAO non-compliant.
February 14, 2012 - EU impose Regulation (EU) No 116/2012 of
9 February 2012 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 872/2004
concerning further restrictive measures in relation to Liberia
Read Regulation
The UN has an arms embargo in force together with a travel ban
and asset freeze on certain individuals. For more information,
please visit the following link: -
http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1521/index.shtml
The EU have similar restrictive measures in force. For further
information, please visit the following link: -
http://ec.europa.
eu/external_relations/cfsp/sanctions/docs/measures_en.pdf
The US also have sanctions in place, specifically against the
former regime of Charles Taylor. For further information, please
visit the following link: -
http://www.treasury.gov/resource-
center/sanctions/Programs/pages/liberia.aspx
____________________________________________________
Offshore Jurisdiction Blacklists:
As a recognised offshore finance jurisdiction this country may fall
under various country offshore jurisdiction blacklists.
____________________________________________________
US State Department Money Laundering Report - 2011:
Liberia is not a regional financial center. Financial controls are
weak, and both Liberian and U.S. dollars are legal tender in
Liberia, making it easier to launder U.S. currency. There is a
significant market for smuggled goods and borders are porous.
Document fraud, lax immigration controls, and widespread
corruption are significant issues. There is little information on
whether money laundering is linked to the sale of narcotics, but
few hard drugs are interdicted in Liberia. Civil war and
government mismanagement destroyed much of Liberia's
economy, especially the infrastructure in and around the capital,
Monrovia. Many businesses fled the country, taking capital and
expertise with them, but with the conclusion of fighting and the
installation of a democratically-elected government the situation is
improving. There are no confirmed cases of money laundering or
terrorist financing in the Liberian banking sector, which is
dominated by Nigerian banks (four of eight banking licenses are
operated by Nigerian banks or families). Money laundering
enforcement suffers from limited resources, inadequately trained
personnel, and a weak judicial system – products of 14 years of
civil war.
On December 22, 2003, the UN Security Council adopted
Resolution 1521 imposing sanctions against Liberia and
designated individuals. The sanctions covered an arms embargo,
travel bans and export/import restrictions. Additionally, on March
12, 2004, UNSCR 1532 was adopted, imposing financial sanctions
against then-president Charles Taylor and his wife and son.
Furthermore, UNSCR 1638 of 2005 gave the UN mission in
Liberia the task of apprehending then-president Taylor to
facilitate his transport to the Sierra Leone Special Court for
prosecution. UNSCRs 1647 (2005), 1836 (2008) and 1854 (2008)
reinforced and extended the Resolutions. Subsequently, the
export/import restrictions were lifted, and under UNSCR 1903 of
December 17, 2009, the arms embargo and travel ban were
allowed to expire on December 17, 2010; however, the asset
freezing provisions remain in place.
DO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ENGAGE IN CURRENCY
TRANSACTIONS RELATED TO INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS
TRAFFICKING THAT INCLUDE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF US
CURRENCY; CURRENCY DERIVED FROM ILLEGAL SALES IN
THE U.S.; OR THAT OTHERWISE SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT THE
U.S.: NO
CRIMINALIZATION OF MONEY LAUNDERING:
“All serious crimes” approach or “list” approach to predicate
crimes: Not available
Legal persons covered: criminally: YES civilly: YES
CRIMINALIZATION OF TERRORIST FINANCING:
Ability to freeze terrorist assets without delay: NO
UN lists of designated terrorists or terrorist entities distributed to
financial institutions: NO
(Please refer to the Department of State’s Country Reports on
Terrorism, which can be found here: http://www.state.
gov/s/ct/rls/crt/)
KNOW-YOUR-CUSTOMER RULES:
Covered entities: Central Bank of Liberia, financial institutions
Enhanced due diligence procedures for PEPs: Foreign: NO
Domestic: NO
SUSPICIOUS TRANSACTION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:
Covered entities: Financial institutions
Number of STRs received and time frame: 0 in 2010
Number of CTRs received and time frame: 0 in 2010
MONEY LAUNDERING CRIMINAL
PROSECUTIONS/CONVICTIONS:
Prosecutions: 0
Convictions: 0
Assets forfeited: criminally: 0 civilly: 0
RECORDS EXCHANGE MECHANISM:
With U.S.: YES
With other governments/jurisdictions: YES
Liberia is a member of the West African Intergovernmental Action
Group Against Money Laundering (GIABA), a Financial Action
Task Force (FATF)-style regional body. Liberia was scheduled for
a mutual evaluation in late 2010. Once adopted, the resulting
report can be found here: http://www.giaba.org/index.php?
type=c&id=46&mod=2&men=2
ENFORCEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES AND
COMMENTS:
Draft anti-money laundering legislation calls for the creation of a
financial intelligence unit (FIU), which would be housed in the
Central Bank of Liberia (CBL). Banks are currently supposed to
report suspicious transaction reports to the CBL but few comply
with reporting guidelines. The CBL has begun outlining how the
new FIU would operate. The CBL has begun drafting a new anti-
money laundering/counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) law
based on international standards.
The Liberia National Police (LNP) investigates financial crimes
through the Criminal Investigation Division’s Technical
Investigation Unit and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
investigates crimes through the Economic Crimes and
Transnational Crimes Divisions. The Ministry of National Security
and the National Security Agency (NSA) are marginally
responsible for investigating financial crimes. Intelligence related
to money laundering and other financial crimes is handled by
various government security organizations in an uncoordinated
fashion.
There have been no arrests, prosecutions or convictions for
money laundering or terrorist financing. The AML law provides for
seizure of laundered assets including property, land, securities,
and cash. The police and other security officials have the power
to seize drug-related assets, but need permission from the courts.
Generally, implementation of laws is hampered by political
interference, corruption and weak capacity within the judiciary,
and a lack of adequate resources. The Liberian government has
not frozen the assets of any of the Liberians (including four
Liberian legislators) on the UN asset-freeze list.
In 2010, the Government of Liberia deported seven people to the
U.S. after arresting them for allegedly trying to smuggle 4,000
kilograms of cocaine (worth an estimated $100 million) through
Liberia.
____________________________________________________
US State Dept Narcotics Report 2012 (introduction):
Liberia is a transit country for cocaine and heroin destined for
Europe. There is already some evidence of narcotics for local
consumption entering Liberia via commercial aircraft and maritime
vessels. Several Liberian law enforcement agencies work in
concert to fight narcotics trafficking in Liberia, including the
Liberian National Police (LNP), the Coast Guard (CG), the
National Security Agency (NSA), and the Drug Enforcement
Agency (Liberian DEA).
Abuse of marijuana occurs in Liberia and is a larger problem than
previously thought. Extreme poverty, high unemployment,
endemic conflict, and a large population who were exposed to
drug use during the civil war are key factors exacerbating the
drug demand situation. Cannabis is locally cultivated in Liberia on
farms in northern Nimba and Bong Counties and is mostly
destined for local consumption. Current abuse involves cooking
the substance in food products, although smoking also occurs.
Drugs such as cocaine and heroin are increasingly present in
Liberia, but far less so than marijuana. Price is still a deterrent for
greater use of cocaine and heroin.
Drug abuse is strongly linked to Liberia’s history of civil conflict
from 1989-2003, which left behind more than 100,000 ex-
combatants. Many of the combatants abused drugs during the
war and remain the majority of Liberia’s current drug users.
Another factor behind potential substance abuse is the high
percentage of Liberians, civilian and ex-military, suffering from
Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome from the country’s civil war.
Liberia’s unemployment rate also plays a role in its drug abuse
problem, with 85 percent underemployed in the informal sector
and only 15 percent of Liberians employed in the formal sector.
Drug rehabilitation and treatment facilities are non-existent, with
addicts being referred to the only psychiatric hospital in Liberia.
“Liberians United Against Drug Abuse”, an NGO founded in 1993,
provides limited drug awareness education through workshops
and radio announcements. Christian Children’s Fund lists forty
active NGO youth organizations, with more than one fourth
dealing with HIV/AIDS prevention/treatment and general health
awareness training/advice. Only three of these NGOs target drug
abuse issues.
The UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and donor governments
including the United States are working with the Government of
Liberia to understand and respond better to the local drug threat.
The United States requested that the United Nations Office on
Drugs and Crime (UNODC) conduct an assessment of drug use,
treatment, prevention, and needs in Liberia. That assessment has
provided valuable information in U.S. efforts to plan demand
reduction work. In addition, UNMIL is soliciting UNODC to perform
a separate assessment of the Liberian DEA.
As part of the West Africa Coast Initiative (WACI), UNODC is
establishing a new Transnational Crime Unit (TCU), located in the
Ministry of Justice, to help coordinate counternarcotics efforts in
Liberia. The Ministry of Justice, with support from UNODC legal
experts, is undertaking a review of current legislation related to
drugs and organized crime in Liberia to create a stronger
foundation for more effective law enforcement activities.
The USG launched the West Africa Cooperative Security Initiative
(WACSI) in 2011, which is a five-year whole of government
approach to increase global security by addressing transnational
organized crime, particularly drug trafficking, in West Africa.
Liberia has been identified as a future WACSI partner where USG
assistance will focus on establishing functional and accountable
institutions and building basic operational capacity.
Liberia is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention. Liberia is also
a party to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized
Crime and its three protocols and has ratified the UN Convention
against Corruption. The United States has had an extradition
treaty in effect with Liberia since 1939.
As a matter of government policy, the government of Liberia
neither encourages nor facilitates the production or distribution of
illicit drugs, nor the laundering of proceeds from illegal drug
transactions. To our knowledge no senior government officials are
engaged in such activity.
The Government of Liberia is concerned about the possible use
of its country by transnational criminal organizations and is
seeking training and assistance in the investigation and
prosecution of counternarcotics and financial crimes. As the
capacity of neighboring countries increases through assistance
programs such as WACI and WACSI, regional organizations and
Government of Liberia will have to pay special attention so that
sophisticated crime networks do not seek Liberia as an easy
target. The Government of Liberia is not currently ready to
respond to the threat of transnational crime; however, U.S. DEA
has cooperated with the Liberian NSA, and anticipates future
cooperation with them should appropriate cases arise.
For Full report, click here
____________________________________________________
US State Dept Trafficking in Persons Report 2011
(introduction):
(Tier 2 Watch List)
Liberia is a source, transit, and destination country, principally for
young women and children subjected to forced labor and sex
trafficking. Most trafficking victims originate from within the country’
s borders and are subjected to domestic servitude, forced
begging to support religious instructors, forced labor in street
vending, on rubber plantations, and alluvial diamond sites, or sex
trafficking. Traffickers operate independently and are commonly
family members who may promise poorer relatives a better life for
their children. Children sent to work as domestic servants for
wealthier relatives are vulnerable to forced labor or to a lesser
extent, commercial sexual exploitation. Victims of cross-border
trafficking come to Liberia from Sierra Leone, Guinea, Cote d’
Ivoire, and Nigeria and are subjected to the same types of
exploitation as internally trafficked victims. A small number of men,
women, and children from Liberia are trafficked to Cote d’Ivoire,
Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria.
The Government of Liberia does not fully comply with the
minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is
making significant efforts to do so. Despite these modest efforts,
however, the government has not shown evidence of increasing
efforts to prosecute and punish trafficking offenders and protect
trafficking victims; therefore, Liberia is placed on Tier 2 Watch
List. The Liberian government has never convicted a trafficking
offender using its 2005 anti-trafficking law; it reported conducting
two investigations of trafficking cases during the year, but did not
initiate any prosecutions or convict any traffickers. The
government did not provide training to law enforcement officials or
magistrates, and many members of the government conflate
kidnapping and smuggling offenses with human trafficking crimes.
The Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce held a workshop in
November 2010 to establish a formal system for referring victims
to legal services and protective care, and the draft is being
circulated among the relevant government ministries for final
adoption. The government did not allocate funds to the taskforce,
which suspended its regular meetings between May 2010 and
January 2011. The government undertook limited prevention
measures.
For full report click here
____________________________________________________
US State Dept Terrorism Report 2009
Despite limited resources, inadequately trained personnel, and a
weak judicial system – products of 14 years of civil war – the
Government of Liberia demonstrated a willingness to cooperate
with the United States and the international community to combat
terrorism. Through rule of law and security sector reform
assistance programs, the United States supported a number of
initiatives that addressed Liberia's vulnerabilities, which included
porous borders, rampant identification document fraud, lax
immigration controls, wide-scale corruption, and underpaid law
enforcement, security, and customs personnel.
The Government of Liberia took steps to improve security at the
Freeport of Monrovia, and the U.S. Coast Guard certified the port
compliant under the International Port Security Program. The
Transportation Security Administration worked with the Liberia
Civil Aviation Authority to improve security at Roberts International
Airport in order to make it compliant under the International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO). However, at year's end, RIA
remained ICAO non-compliant.
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| Last Updated: 16 April 2012 |